Yogi Adityanath pitches women's empowerment, lists welfare schemes, safety measures

Yogi Adityanath used a Navratri post to pitch women's empowerment and list welfare schemes in Uttar Pradesh. He paired the festival message with claims on safety, dignity and criticism of pre-2017 governments.UP Chief Minister Yogi AdityanathUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said women’s safety, dignity and self-respect were essential to building an empowered society, citing a range of central and state government schemes aimed at supporting women from birth through old age.In a post on X on the third day of Sharadiya Navratri, Adityanath said every initiative of the BJP-led “double-engine” government was dedicated to ensuring women’s dignity and a life of honour. He offered prayers to Maa Chandraghanta, whose worship is observed on the third day of Navratri.“The safety, respect and self-respect of women are the foundation of an empowered and prosperous society,” the Chief Minister said, linking the festival’s symbolism to the government’s women’s empowerment agenda.YOGI TAKES AIM AT PRE-2017 GOVERNMENTSAdityanath said that before 2017, lawlessness across Uttar Pradesh had threatened women’s safety and dignity. He alleged that the focus of the governments at the time was on strengthening the families of those in power rather than empowering women. He said the government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was working to improve women’s welfare through governance and targeted schemes.FROM GIRL CHILDREN TO OLDER WOMENListing the initiatives, Adityanath pointed to Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, which promotes the survival, protection and education of girls, and the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, which provides financial assistance to eligible girls at different stages of life. He also cited the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, which supports marriages of eligible couples, and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which provides maternity-related financial assistance to eligible women.The Chief Minister said the Ujjwala Yojana had helped women access cleaner cooking fuel, while household toilets built under the Swachh Bharat Mission, referred to as “Izzat Ghar” in the state, were aimed at improving sanitation and dignity.He also highlighted the distribution of property ownership documents under the Gharauni initiative, which aims to provide rural households with records of ownership over residential properties.FREE BUS TRAVEL, PENSIONS ALSO CITEDAdityanath further referred to free bus travel for women aged above 60 in Uttar Pradesh and old-age pensions as measures intended to provide mobility and social security.Reiterating the government’s stated commitment, he said its initiatives were aimed at protecting women’s dignity, strengthening their self-respect and enabling them to lead lives of honour.The remarks came during Navratri, when political leaders often invoke the symbolism of the festival to highlight women’s status and empowerment. The Chief Minister’s post combined that religious context with a defence of the state government’s welfare record and criticism of previous administrations.- Ends